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Free agents can’t sign anywhere but with their own teams until March 13, but that doesn’t mean free agency — from a certain perspective — isn’t already underway. With the final day teams can apply franchise tags coming Monday, we are now counting down the last handful of days that a deal can get done with possible tagged players. Of course, all a tag means in the short-term is that teams can buy time to negotiate with those players for a longer contract extension. If, for instance, defensive end Calais Campbell is tagged by the Cards, that’s the expectation. So too, as another example, with Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

But those things — along with deals/potential deals with guys who might not have had the tag, like 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks — will make an impact on “real” free agency. If the Saints have to tag Brees, for instance, Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks cannot be tagged and will be free to shop himself. And every non-tag guy who signs between now and March 13 obviously removes himself from the market and changes the possibilities. In some cases, it won’t mean anything to the Cards, in others, it might.

(And we won’t even get into any possible cuts for monetary reasons that teams will do for cap and other reasons, like speculated moves such as Raiders linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, any number of Steelers or some guy whose brother just won a second Super Bowl. All those change the landscape too.)

42 Responses
to “Free agency before free agency”

Remind me again Darren, what is the cap hit on S. Bradley? I believe too high to cut, right.
Do you think the Cards are worried another team may sign L. Brown when they let him loose before they can get a deal done?
thanks

My calculations have it as a $4M cap hit if cut and $6.5M if he stays. As for Brown, I don’t know if they are worried but it wouldn’t be surprising if it was a concern, given the dearth of tackles available.

darren i no my friend courtney upshaw is not doing while at the combine but when i asked him would he like to play for the cardinals he said yea he would love to but do you think it would be a good fit

If we don’t land Manning, (and yes I am for the signing,) are we happy with Kolb and Skelton?

I know that is who we are going with, but are we satisfied that our future “Franchise” QB is one of those 2 guys?

If the answer is no, don’t you have to consider drafting a QB? Let’s face it, the saints have the option to franchise Carl Nicks, Drew Brees, or Colston, It’s a no brainer, Brees is the guy. Right? Why? Without a QB, its hard to win in this league.

So, shouldn’t the cards attention turn towards Ryan Tannehill? Sure Decastro is as good a guard that there is, and I love Whitney Mercilus as a pass rusher, and Mike Adams as a left tackle.
But isn’t it all useless without a QB?

I think I have come full circle. I don’t know if we have a superbowl winning QB on our team. Darren pointed out that the days of Dilfer-type superbowl teams are disappearing. Yes, you need defense. Yes you need a OLine. But, do the Giants win the superbowl without Manning and instead with Kolb or Skelton?
Of course, no way of knowing. But if you said no, Then, with the 13th pick;

Hard to tell. Obviously, it’s more about positions. Finding a tackle, a wide receiver, maybe a linebacker. Then it’s about who is available — which we don’t know yet, as I noted above how it can change — and how high the price tag might be for each guy.

I really think the Cards should bring in 49ers QB Alex Smith for a visit. If the fit is good make him an offer, absolute worst case he declines, but make the 49ers come up with some $$ of their own to keep him.
I like Skelton as much as the next guy, but he just is not good enough to be the starter for the team yet. The wins late in the season were more about the defense coming together, we have no idea if Kolb could have won those games or not.

Darren,
Who would you draft ate the 13th pick? O line? or would you go best player available even if its Blackman? I heard today that Pro football talk is reporting that The rams have interest in Claiborne. Either way back to my question, If Darren Urban was drafting for the Cards who would it be?

But see, that’s part of the equation. It isn’t regardless of who is signed. If, for instance, a high-profile pass rushing linebacker is signed, I’m not as quick to consider one with the first pick. It all works together.

As of today, I am looking OL or LB. But it depends who is signed and who is on the board. And if the Cards decide, for instance, a WR (if it is still needed) is higher rated than a LB or OL at that point, I look there.

Let’s not get this twisted: I’m not a scout and didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I definitely don’t know much about the draftees, especially at this point. As for free agents, I haven’t looked at the lists real closely, because with two weeks to go, a lot can still change. I am sure I will write something about it after the franchise tags are placed and when more signings are made.

Hmmm great chemistry player, can take Andre Roberts under his wing, physical player who would be an asset on third down and red zone, maybe has a bit of a chip on his shoulder from being dumped by the Steelers ,Whisenhunt has a tendency to go after ex Steelers on their last legs, Porter, Faneca, Haggans, only if the price is right tho.

Would love to land a Courtney Upsahw or Melvin Ingram at #13. Would be kind of hard to pass either one of those guys. Address the tackle position in Free Agency, if possible. And go for best available at #13.

I know this is off topic and all but can you give an update on Toler? I expect big things this year from him this years especially since he will be the number two corner behind Patrick. What do you think? Toler and Peterson together makes for a pretty good corner tandem dont you think?

I hear what you’re saying, but my thinking on this is a little different. First, I do like Skelton enough to think he could be a franchise QB. Reminds me a lot of Bradshaw at this stage of his career (big arm, can be erratic as hell, but seems to hit the big throw when it’s absolutely needed). But let’s say I’m wrong, and we bring in Tannehill instead of DeCastro. Having watched Tannehill I don’t think he’s ready to step in and start right away. So now we’ve brought in another promising, but raw, QB, and in the process took more playing time away from Skelton/Kolb. While simultaneously bypassing a guy who just about everyone projects to be a significant upgrade at RG for us (and very likely the next Steve Hutchinson).

Yes, a big-time QB is needed in today’s game, but as very few are early in their careers I don’t see how Tannehill will help us next season – or how well he truly projects throughout the rest of his career. I think taking him at #13 would be a reach (even though I don’t discount the idea that he may not even be available when we pick).

Luck or Griffin would look great in a Cardinal uniform, but I’d say that has as much chance of happening as a snowstorm in the Valley. The Rams will get a king’s ransom for that pick, and I can’t see them trading it to us even if we offered. You think they want either of those guys on a team they play twice a season? Conversely, do you think we want most of our early round picks over the next few seasons going to them?

I agree that Tannehill needs some seasoning. Interesting we have 5 preseason games this year.🙂

If you feel Skelton or Kolb are franchise guys, then yes, don’t pick a QB and get the Olineman.

But if you don’t feel they are the guys, then let’s not squander a chance at landing a guy who reminds me of Aaron Rodgers. (remember he needed a little seasoning also)..

Let’s release Kolb, draft Tannehill and have him sit behind the starter for a year or three. Of course, if that starter was Peyton, then it would be the perfect storm.

My only thought is, every team needs a QB. Without one, it is tough to win. If Skelton or Kolb are the guys, then great. Problem solved. My issue is, aren’t we wondering about the same things we wondered about last year regarding the QB spot? A year later and nothing solved. I just don’t know if I could let one more of those QBs slip by in the draft.

Besides, would it be terrible if Skelton became the guy and we had Tannehill sitting behind him ? Nice problem to have.

Looks like it all goes back to how you rate the players available. If you’re right about Tannehill possibly being the next Rodgers he’d be a steal @ #13. To your other point, having him learn behind Manning could potentially give us a situation we never realistically had with Warner (sorry, Leinart fans). I’ll still cast my ballot for hitching the wagon to either Skelton or Kolb, and bringing in some reinforcements on the line but your ideas are thought provoking. I do wonder the message that gets sent to Skelton if we sign Manning and draft Tannehill, however. Relegating him to third string, after the progress he’s made, seems pretty harsh.

Probably a moot point, though. More and more it’s sounding unlikely that Tannehill will get out of the top 10 – apparently the scouts are more in your corner on that than mine.